Apple on Tuesday announced it has launched a new 128-gigabyte model of the fourth-generation iPad with Retina display, doubling the previous maximum capacity offered.

The 128-gigabyte version of the fourth-generation iPad are available starting Tuesday, Feb. 5 in black or white. They will have a suggested retail price of $799 for the Wi-Fi-only model, while the cellular-capable model will sell for $929.

Apple's 9.7-inch iPad lineup now extends to four different capacities, starting at 16 gigabytes for the entry-level model. The smaller iPad mini still tops off with a 64-gigabyte model.

The announcement of the new iPad model comes only a few days after it was discovered in the newly released iOS 6.1 software update that Apple had included references to a new iOS device with a storage capacity of 128 gigabytes. Previously, the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad lineups all maxed out at 64 gigabytes.

"With more than 120 million iPads sold, it?s clear that customers around the world love their iPads, and everyday they are finding more great reasons to work, learn and play on their iPads rather than their old PCs, said Philip Schiller, Apple?s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "With twice the storage capacity and an unparalleled selection of over 300,000 native iPad apps, enterprises, educators and artists have even more reasons to use iPad for all their business and personal needs."

In announcing the new 128-gigabyte iPad, Apple boasted that virtually all of the Fortune 500 and over 85 percent of the Global 500 currently deploy or test the iPad. It noted that companies use large amounts of data, including 3D CAD files, X-rays, film edits, music tracks, project blueprints, training videos, and service manuals.

Aside from the higher storage capacity, the new 128-gigabyte iPad with Retina display is unchanged from the previously released fourth-generation models. It includes the Apple-designed A6X processor, a 9.7-inch Retina display, and forward facing FaceTime HD camera.

Apple also noted the iPad runs over 800,000 apps available on the App Store, including more than 300,000 apps designed specifically for iPad, from a wide range of categories including books, games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. iPad also supports the more than 5,000 newspapers and magazines offered in Newsstand, and the more than 1.5 million books available on the iBookstore.

Wow that came out of nowhere. That article Sunday about the 128 GB capacity showing up in 6.1 was surprising and for them to release it so soon after a rumor pops up was even more surprising. That must be that doubled down secrecy.

I am deeply impressed by how it came out of (nearly) nowhere. I'll bet that at least 10% of all iPads sold will be in this category. That will be a huge margin increase for Apple in the next couple of quarters. And, @TV's Bluetooth easter egg presages some pretty good stuff in the next couple of motnhs.

If they can get their iMac supply problems sorted out, watch out, shorts.....

Very, very smart. There are many who will buy the most storage capacity available, even if they never use all of it. Apple must have done their analysis to figure out the demand for this.

Could also be the first step towards rationalizing the product line. Retina mini iPad with 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. Retina big iPad with 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB. Or, something like that. Kind of like the Macbook Pro line.

Originally Posted by anantksundaramA lot of corporations, fortunately, disagree with you.

Sorry bout that happy fingers. Yes businesses and yes apple corporations and any corporations for that matter would disagree with me, but I'm talking about the consumer. Now there will probably be the elite few 1% of the consumer population that will get it just to say that they have it.

I've always said the two things keeping me from storing my music/podcasts on my phone is max storage, and eyes-free UI. They're about 1/3 of the way from me dropping my iPod classic but still no dice. I'd love to have that all-in-one experience, but the touch interface of the iPhone/pod touch just doesn't cut it. So with that, I still say they need to update the iPod classic to SSD. Now that they have 128gb chips in the iPad, I don't see why not. I'll take a 32gb drop if i could have a thinner, lighter high capacity iPod Classic. Plus it would justify the $249 price tag of the Classic. The Nano's UI is just not eyes-free enough, and the home button is too far to the bottom of the device and awkward to reach for.

Good to see that Apple has finally seen fit to offer more capacity for those who simply must carry a bunch of HD movies, insane numbers of photos, more apps than they'll likely ever even use, or entire music collections with them almost everywhere.

Crazy that a 128gb Wifi+Cellular version will end up near US 1000.00 after sales tax, making a MacBook Air a seemingly much better/smarter purchase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdonisSMU

I think the cost is reasonable. It's double the storage for only 100 bucks more. I'd say that's pretty good deal.

128 GB is great, but the cost is gonna keep me away. I can afford it don't get me wrong, but why pay for something that in about 6 months it will be obsolete with the new new iPad.

Bet people still buy TV's yet, companies make a model, do a run of a certain amount, then move on to the next model. There seems to be a better one weekly yet, still people buy them. Are they dumb for doing so? How about the better computer just a few days away??

Very, very smart. There are many who will buy the most storage capacity available, even if they never use all of it. Apple must have done their analysis to figure out the demand for this.

For the iPad, this would really help me when I travel for 5 weeks at a time. I usually have mine maxed out with Movies, since Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime don't work in China on the iPad. Although I just found a work-around Chrome Plug-in for my Mac.

I can see larger capacity a bonus for field service engineers in order to have on hand advanced and interactive repair manuals that have step by step videos on tap. For factory floor use, 16 gig is too much for data collection and/or QA work. Executive/Manager toys...that is a different story.

Keep in mind that they charge $100 to go from 16 to 32 GB. That would be a hefty margin increase. $100 to go from 64 to 128 GB would not be anywhere near as much of a margin increase.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlm8283

128 GB is great, but the cost is gonna keep me away. I can afford it don't get me wrong, but why pay for something that in about 6 months it will be obsolete with the new new iPad.

Depends on how you define 'obsolete'. It will still be capable of doing everything it could do when you bought it.

More importantly, resale value on iPads is very high. It's not uncommon to see used iPads selling for 90% of the new price or even more. So you use it for a year and lose 10%. You drive a car for a month and lose 15%. So, by your logic, no one would ever buy a new car, right?

"I'm way over my head when it comes to technical issues like this"Gatorguy 5/31/13

It does kind of blur the line between the iPad and the MB Air, i agree.

$929 - 128gb iPad

$1,099 - 128gb MB Air

So for $170 more you could have the same SDD in a much more capable (and very close in size) Macbook, but a lot faster.

But, just like the iPod Mini and the iPad Mini, you pay a premium for portability.

Now that is utterly BS.

There's no faster computer (for basic things) than an iPad 4. There isn't a more capable computer for most people. If you want web browsing, mail, facebook, view pdf and presentations, study, play... there isn't a better computer on the market, no matter the price.

Look at that all day battery life, amazing screen and portability. It's just the best computer on the market for ALLMOST everyone. The other one is the rMBP.

128 GB is great, but the cost is gonna keep me away. I can afford it don't get me wrong, but why pay for something that in about 6 months it will be obsolete with the new new iPad.

Buy something when you need it. Apple supports their devices better than any other company in the space. It has always been the case with technology that within a few months, something better will be out, but that does not take away from your device performing the tasks which you bought it for. If Apple didn't update the iPad with the A6X in Oct and waited until March, then all the holiday season buyers would have a lesser processor. I think it was a great and valuable move for Apple to update when they did.

Unlike Android, you also easily get new features for several years after purchase.

It does kind of blur the line between the iPad and the MB Air, i agree.
$929 - 128gb iPad
$1,099 - 128gb MB Air

So for $170 more you could have the same SDD in a much more capable (and very close in size) Macbook, but a lot faster.
But, just like the iPod Mini and the iPad Mini, you pay a premium for portability.

I really suspect that the decision is not as difficult as it seems for most people. I believe that most people who walk into an Apple Store (or Best Buy or whatever) intend to buy a tablet or a laptop and that very few actually switch from one to the other. Of course, many people will have both, but for any given purchase, I just don't see that many people who have trouble deciding.

"I'm way over my head when it comes to technical issues like this"Gatorguy 5/31/13

Too expensive! Wow. I have a 64GB iPad which is getting pretty full, but an extra $430 from the "base" price is just too much. Not quite sure why the base model is still 16GB (especially for the iPad), and I think it is good to up the maximum storage... just think the price needs to be a little more grounded for people to be able to justify upgrading later on.